Guitar Basics (Copy)

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Seventh Chord Basics

• The Major 7th Chord
• 7th Chord Qualities
• Chord Spelling
• Diatonic Chords

The Major 7th Chord

1 Learn | The Major 7th Chord

7th chords are four note chords that are created by stacking every other note in a scale. The chord quality that comes from first chord in a major scale is the Major 7 chord. This chord can be thought of as a major triad (1 3 5) with a 7 on top. Spelling major 7th chords is easy if you know your major scales. Simply use the 1 3 5 7 of the scale to generate the chord.

The symbols for a Major 7 chord are: M7 | maj7 | △7

Example:

Spell the Gmaj7 chord.
1. Spell the G major scale: G A B C D E F#
2. Use the 1 3 5 7 of the scale to create the chord: R=G, 3=B, 5=D, 7=F#

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2 Practice | Major 7th Chord Spelling

Practice spelling all major 7th chords by writing them down. Be sure to practice the enharmonic spellings of Db, Gb, and B.

C | F | Bb | Eb | Ab | Db | C# | Gb | F# | Cb | B | E | A | D | G

Memorize the major 7th chords by using the challenge module. Select a speed and click the center button to start the session. Spell the chord out loud when the chord is displayed. If you find yourself not knowing the answer or guessing, go back and write them all down again.

Select A Speed Then Click To Start

Mastery Proficient Approaching Developing

7th Chord Qualities

1 Learn | 7th Chord Qualities

A four note chord can be created by starting on any one of the notes in the major scale. Four distinct 7th chord qualities are created when these chords are compared to the major 7 chord that shares the same root note. The qualities are: major 7, dominant 7, minor 7, and half diminished 7. The chord tones, syt and the resulting alteration direction when compared to the parallel major for each quality are shown below.

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Chord Spelling

1 Learn | 7th Chord Spelling

The formulas for each quality can be applied to a major 7 to spell any chord.

Example: Dmin7

1. Start with the Dmaj7 chord: D, F#, A, C#

2. Find the correct formula: R ↓3 5 ↓7

3. Apply the formula to the notes of the major 7 chord: D, F, A, C

   Remember a sharp that is lowered is a natural and not a flat, you don’t want to double lower any notes.

Some chords willl need to be spelled either enharmonically or chromatically:
Example: D#-7

1. Enharmonic Approach: Spell Eb-7 (Eb, Gb, Bb, Db) then turn each note into its sharp name (D#, F#, A#, C#)

2. Chromatic Approach: Spell the D-7 chord (D, F, A, C) then raise everything by a half step (D#, F#, A#, C#)

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2 Practice | Spelling 7th Chords With Formulas

Practice spelling chords using formulas with the Seventh Chord Formula Worksheet →.

Master the spellings with the memorization tool.

1. Select the chord qualities you would like to get better at.

2. Choose a mastery level.

3. Click the card button the start the session.

4. Say the note of the chord before the card advances.

5. Click the card button to end the session.

   Don’t guess when memorizing like this, its easy to create bad mental habits!

Major 7 Dominant 7 Minor 7 Half Diminished 7 Diminished 7

Select chords and speed, then start

Mastery Proficient Approaching Understanding

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Diatonic Chords

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